 Imaginary Friends
I had an imaginary friend for perhaps age 4-7 named Dianne (I think) and she was about my age - just someone to talk to and play with. My parents humored me and thought it was a good thing to have a vivid imagination. I remember stopping my father from sitting down on a dining room chair because "Dianne" was sitting there. He said something to the effect of asking if Dianne could create a chair for herself and sit on that one because my father was more "limited" and could only sit on the one remaining chair that was visible to everyone. Dianne agreed!
Another guy I met said he had imaginary friends when he was young. He was complaining one time about having no one to play with and his mother, who was trying to get him to go outside and play, reminded him that he had his imaginary friends.
His parents and my parents had no problem with us having imaginary friends and we eventually "grew out" of them. Our friends from the Cuban and East Indian cultures said they NEVER heard of such a thing - they think it is unique to middle-class white American children.
Now I feel I have a higher self (constant running commentary/discussion, not harsh but many gentle reprimands), guardian angel (comfort and intervention to prevent serious harm), runners, special-problem solving spirits and all kinds of help when I ask/need it.  |